By Idahosa Musa
Governor Monday Okpehbolo of Edo has given a marching order to security agents for the immediate clampdown on cultists and their sponsors in the state.
The order is coming against the backdrop of the renewed secret cult killings in Benin, the Edo State Capital in the past five days.
Recall that the Alltimepost.com had earlier reported that there was serious tension in Benin, as rival cult groups, Black Axe and Maphite Confraternities, had resumed their battle for supremacy, which has so far led to the killing of no fewer than 15 people.
This troubling situation comes barely three months after the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, signed the Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into law, approving a 21-year jail term for cultists and their sponsors.
Alltimepost.com learnt that the renewed cult war, said to be between the two rival groups, began on Friday, 25 April 2025, with the killing of a physiotherapist, simply identified as Alex, and another individual at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) back gate, Ugbowo, in Benin.
Responding swiftly to the recent urgly situation, the Governor through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi, said the state government was deeply concerned about the resurgence of cult-related violence in the state.
Okhuemoi stated that Governor Okpebholo remains unshaken in his commitment to rid Edo of cultism, criminality, and all threats to peace and order
The statement read: “The Edo State Government is deeply concerned about the resurgence of cult-related violence in some parts of the state.
“It is important to recall that following earlier disturbances last year, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, among several proactive steps taken, convened personally and through his agents series of critical meetings with the known leaders of groups suspected to be involved in these criminal activities.
“At those meetings, firm agreements were reached: they were to rein in their members and take full responsibility for their conduct.
“The Governor made it abundantly clear that the State would no longer tolerate the senseless killing of our youth and the destabilization of our communities.
“Regrettably, recent developments indicate that some individuals and groups have chosen to defy that understanding.
“Governor Okpebholo has therefore directed security agencies to move in decisively. Those who have tested the will of the State will face the full weight of the Edo State Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Law. There will be no sacred cows.
“This administration remains unshaken in its commitment to rid Edo State of cultism, criminality, and all threats to peace and order.
“We urge all law-abiding residents to remain calm and continue with their daily activities. The security agencies are fully mobilized and working around the clock to restore and maintain peace.
“The Okpebholo administration is determined to build a safe, stable, and prosperous Edo State — and no amount of intimidation or criminal defiance”, the statement concluded.
It would be recalled that Governor Monday Okpebholo, on 30, January 2025, signed the Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into law, thereby approving a 21-year jail term for cultists and their sponsors
The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, in a statement, said that the previous law had been repealed to impose harsher punishments on cultists and their sponsors.
He urged the public to take heed and avoid actions detrimental to the peace, growth, and development of Edo State.
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